The father of a 25-year-old man, who is the prime suspect in a devastating car bombing outside a California fertility clinic, expressed his profound sorrow and heartbreak over the incident. Richard Bartkus shared his feelings with Noticias Telemundo, revealing that he had always known his son, Guy Edward Bartkus, to possess a good heart and suspects that he may have been brainwashed into committing such an act. Richard lamented that he had not seen or spoken to his son in over a decade, following Guy's move to Twentynine Palms to reside with his mother.
Authorities reported that Guy Edward Bartkus detonated an explosive device outside 1199 North Indian Canyon Drive at approximately 11 a.m. on Saturday. This location is home to several medical facilities, including the American Reproductive Centers (ARC), a fertility clinic. In a reassuring statement on Facebook, ARC confirmed that their lab, which contains sensitive materials such as eggs and embryos, remained undamaged in the explosion. The clinic stated, "We are heavily conducting a complete safety inspection and have confirmed that our operations and sensitive medical areas were not impacted by the blast."
Tragically, the suspect, Guy Edward Bartkus, was killed in the explosion, while four other individuals sustained injuries and were treated at a local hospital. Law enforcement officials revealed that the attack appears to be associated with anti-natalist ideology, a belief system advocating against procreation. Richard Bartkus expressed disbelief at his son's alleged beliefs, stating, "I've never even heard him talk about something like that before. I haven't seen him in 12 years. The last time I saw him, he was a good kid."
Richard reminisced about his son’s childhood, describing him as a boy who loved outdoor activities such as hiking and rock hunting, as well as playing video games like Xbox. Emotional during the interview, Richard reflected, "He had a good heart. Something changed in him." Investigators are currently scrutinizing social media posts purportedly made by the suspect, including an audio recording that aligns with anti-natalist sentiments. They are also examining a YouTube account and an online forum post from earlier this month in which Guy contemplated taking his own life using an explosive device.
According to law enforcement sources, it is believed that Guy Edward Bartkus was struggling with depression and personal relationship issues at the time of the incident. Tactical officers were observed at a residence in Twentynine Palms following the bombing, which the FBI officially classified as an act of terrorism. The explosion resulted in damage to several nearby businesses, leaving witnesses in shock. One witness described the experience to NBC Palm Springs, stating, "It felt like an earthquake. Everything just shattered." Another witness noted, "We weren't sure what happened, and we didn't know where it was coming from. We just turned around and saw a lot of black smoke."
Simone and Sophie, a couple from Coachella Valley who are clients of American Reproductive Centers, shared their experience, revealing that they relied on the clinic's services to conceive their newborn son. This tragic event has shaken the community, raising concerns about safety and the implications of such ideologies.
